USC Injury Report: Iman Marshall has MCL sprain (10/24)

Cornerback Iman Marshall is day-to-day with an MCL sprain suffered against Notre Dame. Here’s the USC injury report from Oct. 24.

Another defensive starter is in doubt for USC this week as cornerback Iman Marshall sat out of the Trojans’ Tuesday practice because of the knee injury which knocked him out of the Notre Dame game.

MRI results for the junior revealed he has an MCL sprain, an injury that has him officially listed as “day-to-day.”

Despite the hopeful designation, it does not appear likely that Marshall will suit up for the Trojans on Saturday. Helton conceded that MCL injuries are hard to predict, especially for skill position players. Often a sprained MCL will hold a player out for a week, the head coach said, sometimes it’s two weeks.

Isaiah Langley stepped into Marshall’s place in South Bend and had a strong day of practice on Tuesday, according to Helton. He is slated to start this weekend unless Marshall’s recovery drastically improves.

USC Injury Report:

Out for season: DL Kenny Bigelow (retirement), K Michael Brown (knee), CB Greg Johnson (shoulder), LB Tayler Katoa (knee), CB Jonathan Lockett (hip), S Isaiah Pola-Mao (shoulder), OL Viane Talamaivao (pectoral), DL Marlon Tuipulotu (back), WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young (hamstring/redshirt)
Out: OLB Hunter Echols (hip), OT Nathan Smith (knee)
Questionable: RB Stephen Carr (foot), DL Josh Fatu (concussion), OLB Porter Gustin (toe/bicep), CB Iman Marshall (knee), WR Steven Mitchell (shoulder)
Probable: QB Sam Darnold (ankle), OL Chuma Edoga (ankle), OL Nico Falah (chest), DL Rasheem Green (ankle), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip), Ronald Jones II (ankle), Damon Johnson (back/concussion), OL Toa Lobendahn (pectoral)

Starting wide receiver Steven Mitchell was also held from practice on Tuesday with a shoulder injury. No timetable has been set for his return.

The Trojans are also slow playing the return of starting nose tackle Josh Fatu, who missed the Notre Dame game because of a concussion stemming from a car accident.

The defensive lineman was able to begin running on a treadmill this week, but did not participate in practice. More on his status will be known by the end of the week, Helton said.

The long awaited returns of running back Stephen Carr and outside linebacker Porter Gustin moved a step closer this week.

Carr was in shoulder pads at practice and was able to go through five periods of action before he was pulled. On Monday, the running back looked good in straight-line running and added some change of direction on his injured foot for the first time in weeks.

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“He has made significant improvement in a week,” Helton said. However, his chances of playing this weekend will wait to be determined later in the week.

Gustin, who has been out for weeks with a broken toe and torn bicep, didn’t suit up for practice but did get out on the field with cleats and did some light running.

Another returnee, longsnapper Damon Johnson, was able to practice on Tuesday. He had been sidelined for two weeks with a concussion.

Center Nico Falah is dealing with a chest contusion but was cleared to practice and made it through the whole day.

Meanwhile, ankle injuries for quarterback Sam Darnold, defensive end Rasheem Green and right tackle Chuma Edoga did not hold them back.

The ankle has not bothered him much over the past few weeks, Darnold said after practice.

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